Durrett wins big for second term as Montgomery County mayor

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Stefanie O’Rourke with sons, Chase (left) and Jayden casts her vote at Hilldale United Methodist on Madison Street. She considers herself an independent and wanted to support independent and Democratic candidates. “Change doesn’t happen unless you ask for it," she said. Stephanie Ingersoll/The Leaf-Chronicle

Montgomery County voters Thursday gave County Mayor Jim Durrett a second term in office.

Durrett started the evening of election returns with nearly 68 percent of the vote to challenger Donnie Trice's 32 percent, and maintained that distance all night.

To gain a second term in the county's highest office, Durrett had to get past the political newcomer Trice, who, like Durrett, is a Montgomery County native.

From his election night event at The Ruby Cora in Adams, Durrett told The Leaf-Chronicle he is ready to get started on another four-year term in the county's highest office.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve this county four more years," Durrett said. "I really have a passion for this community.

"I know I don't please everybody, but I am greatly honored to serve, and I am going to do everything I can from a financial and economic development standpoint, to keep this community moving forward," he said, borrowing upon his campaign slogan, "Keep us moving in Montgomery County."

Durrett was complimentary of Trice for having an interest in public service. "I called Donnie the day he was qualified to run, and he told me he was running for the people, which is exactly why I was running."

Despite the loss, Trice seemed upbeat and encouraged by the fact that he collected 32 percent of the vote. And, in conversation with The Leaf-Chronicle, he made a campaign announcement.

"Tonight's result isn't looking too good, but I want to thank everyone for getting out and voting, and for their support — and I will be running for office again. I will be back on the ballot for county mayor in four years, that is a fact," he said.

On the Thursday ballot, Durrett ran as a Republican, and Trice, as an independent.

Durrett will be sworn into his second term, along with other newly-elected county officials, on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the Montgomery County Courthouse.